We give too much credit to the darkness. It never stands against the light. Dancing flames extinguish blinding bleakness. A single candle undoes the desert’s night. It is the dark’s inheritance to vanish. If only we’ll remember and resist. Its feet were made to scatter, heart to panic. In the end only the light subsists.
Author Archives: byherndon
Concert Audition Etudes Updates
It’s almost that time again: time to hold auditions to sort percussionists into their concert ensemble for next year! For the last several years I’ve been using Concert Percussion etudes I’ve composed as the audition material (I’ve posted about that before here). This year I’ve given them and overhaul to make them an even betterContinue reading “Concert Audition Etudes Updates”
Solo & Ensemble Breakdown
If you are in the market for solo and ensemble music for your percussionists, here is a handy breakdown of my pieces. It aims primarily at answering: “How many people?” “How much stuff?” “How hard is it?” Look it over and let me know if you have any questions. Best wishes for solo and ensemble!
Rehearsal Plans (vs. Lesson Plans)
This year I’ve streamlined my rehearsal plans*. My guiding principals are: It must be possible to make and share quickly. There’s a lot to do everyday. If it can’t be done quickly, I’ll skip it and not benefit from it. Simplicity is paramount. If it can’t be done simply…keep working until it can be doneContinue reading “Rehearsal Plans (vs. Lesson Plans)”
2019 Recap
Great and Small, my solo keyboard work with optional audio accompaniment, was named an Editor’s Choice by Music Distributor J.W. Pepper. Several schools included my works on their programs for the Lassiter Percussion Symposium: Alpharetta High School performed Begin Transmission and Cambridge High School and Jackson High School both programmed Song Without Words. I hadContinue reading “2019 Recap”
All-State Percussion Judge Scratch Sheet
To help anyone judging Round 1 All-State Percussion Auditions tomorrow. This sheet follows the GMEA All-State Percussion District Adjudication Form. You plug in numbers for rudiments, scales, tuning, and sight reading and it will automatically tabulate totals in those areas. If the instrument total scores add to to 85 or more it is conditionally formattedContinue reading “All-State Percussion Judge Scratch Sheet”
Snare Start-Up: What To Do Before You Start
Advice for preparing to start young music students on snare drum.
Overcast Sabbath
It’s overcast this Sunday As we sabbath on the deck. A few leaves let go As we creep closer to Fall. Our conversation’s stoked By a breeze blowing over breakfast. We hold hands and thank God for it all.
‘Great and Small’ in Percussive Notes
Great and Small is a programmatic work comprised of two delightful movements for solo keyboard percussion with optional audio accompaniment. These vignettes depict the powerful beasts Leviathan and Behemoth when they were still young, whimsical, and childlike. Deemed ‘’medium-easy” by the publisher, it is appropriate for older middle school or younger high school students andContinue reading “‘Great and Small’ in Percussive Notes”
‘Guac Is Extra’ in Percussive Notes
“Guac is Extra” serves as a fun way to introduce students to the instruments and style of salsa music. John Herndon does a fantastic job of making the style accessible to younger players, as each uses two drums and an accessory instrument. The performance notes indicate the drums to be played with swizzle sticks; however,Continue reading “‘Guac Is Extra’ in Percussive Notes”
By Herndon | MUSIC 